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Myanmar’s junta allows supporters to own firearms PHOTO/Reuters
SINGAPORE – New ownership policy firearms Of Myanmar which allows civilians to take up arms, is seen as a risk of exacerbating the conflict in the country. Military junta allowed his supporters to take up arms.
Such a move could galvanize pro-junta groups and further bloodshed could hamper much needed relief efforts after Typhoon Mocha hit western Myanmar on May 14.
The latest changes to gun laws last month come as Myanmar’s military faces growing pressure to root out the opposition on multiple fronts. Observers say the move is meant to increase the firepower of junta supporters, who fear being attacked.
Experts say the new gun laws are a sign that the junta is under pressure to stay in power.
Aaron Connelly, senior fellow in Southeast Asian Politics and Foreign Policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said militaries have never had to fight on multiple fronts.
“This new weapons law appears to be an attempt to create a legal mechanism to arm those who support the junta, to defend the territories they have taken back from the PDF (People’s Defense Army) or local defense forces,” he said. to Channel News Asia, Monday (5/6/2023).
Moe Thuzar, senior fellow and coordinator of the Myanmar Studies Program at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, said there were still questions about who really needed to use weapons in the country.
“Looking back at past practices (and) past precedents, we see that people who wield weapons are those who are very close to or connected to military authorities, or people who are military personnel or former military personnel, veterans and so on, he said.
